Vestibular stimulation by multichannel cochlear implants.
The recipient of a Nucleus 22 multichannel cochlear implant began to experience severe vestibular stimulation related to the implant. This patient's experience initiated a study with the objective of determining the frequency of implant-related vestibulo-ocular stimulation. Subjects consisted of 17 randomly selected patients who use cochlear implants. Included in the study were 14 Nucleus 22 and three Med-El Combi 40-devices. Stimulation of the implants was performed both by individual channel and with sound field broad-band 80-dB noise using the users' normal device settings. Eye movements were monitored with infrared videonystagmography. Only one subject, who used a Med-El Combi 40, showed a consistent and strong ocular response to cochlear stimulation but had no subjective symptoms. The authors conclude that vestibulo-ocular activation is possible with multichannel cochlear implants but is infrequent and may not be clinically significant.
Bance
M L
ML
University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
O'Driscoll
M
M
Giles
E
E
Ramsden
R T
RT
D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009760:Nystagmus, Physiologic; D012027:Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology*